Better Care Fund (BCF)

WHAT IS IT?

The Better Care Fund (BCF), including the Improved Better Care Fund (iBCF) from 2017, is a Government initiative to make sure that health and social care services are more joined up. The Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Isle of Wight Council are putting some of their money into a single funding pot. Working with the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Independent and Voluntary Sectors, they will use this money to work closer together to make sure that people’s wellbeing is the focus of health and social care services on the Island.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE ISLE OF WIGHT?

We want to improve the outcomes and experiences of people, families and carers by doing things differently: getting organisations, people and communities working together and thinking creatively so that health and social care are fit for now and for future generations. The BCF will support us to achieve this and to deliver our vision of person-centred, co-ordinated health and social care and support.

The funds within the main BCF pooled fund are not newly allocated, the funding is expenditure on existing services; however the pooled fund commits the IOW CCG and the IOW Council to commissioning services in an integrated way. The iBCF is new, time-limited funding to support system transformation, which tapers off over the next 3 years.

This means that we have to use this money in a new way so that we can continue to meet the increasing demand on health and social care services.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU?

Services will be person-centred, integrated and delivered in a way which meets individual need: the right care at the right place at the right time.

We want people, including the most vulnerable in society, to enjoy fulfilling lives, good health and a sense of wellbeing. To achieve this, we are supporting people to get the best from the resources and support they have access to: at home, from their family and community, from the council, the NHS and a wide range of other organisations and enterprises.

By using the BCF to deliver more joined up, integrated services and support, you will experience better pathways of care, resulting in improved independence and wellbeing. You will see more efficient services that work better together, ensuring that you get the right care at the right place at the right time.

The CCG and the Council have agreed to use the Better Care Fund (BCF and iBCF) for the following schemes: